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Saturday, February 4, 2012

Elephant Dung!

We live 32 miles from an elephant sanctuary. I thought that was crazy when I first heard about it. I mean how many people in North America live 32 miles from an elephant that is not in a zoo? I guess a whole bunch of my neighbors would fall into that category but I wonder how many of them realize it.

I've been wanting to go visit Riddle's Elephant Sanctuary for over a year now but it just hasn't worked out. They are open to the public the first Saturday of every month and it always seems like we have some other commitment on those days. I don't know if it's just because I don't leave the farm much but I was super excited about this trip.

The Monster? Not so much. Not only is the sanctuary only open one day a month, they are open from 11-3:00 which pretty much guaranteed the Monster was going to have to skip a nap to see an elephant. And despite the fact that we call him "Monster" out of love, there is definitely a little monster lurking in there waiting for missed naps. The Monster's lack of sleep was compounded by the frustration of not being able to explore. Because of course the only area he wanted to explore lay beyond the ropes in the area visitors were not allowed.

He did pretty well though when on his da's shoulders.

First up were the African elephants, Amy and her baby, Miss Bets.

Then the old ladies, Asian elephants, Peggy and Booper.

As we were walking around III was lamenting not bringing a bag to sneak some elephant poop home in. Lucky for us, the sanctuary had some already bagged up, for a small donation.

III is now convinced that we have the only garden in the state that contains not only your standard farm manures, but moose and elephant poop as well. (He brought moose poop home with him from a trip to Montana a few years ago). Our new claim to fame. Can't wait to add this one to my organic application.